The Chicago Bears experienced one of the most physically intense practices of their training camp on Tuesday morning, as the offense worked through five separate 11-on-11 sessions over a two-hour period. The team incorporated 13 personnel packages featuring one running back, one wide receiver, and three tight ends—a first for this camp—and saw live tackling for the first time since head coach Ben Johnson introduced the more physical approach last summer.
The practice featured several high-impact plays that energized the team. Safety Anthony Johnson Jr. delivered a strong hit on running back Salvon Ahmed along the sideline, while rookie defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg nearly sparked an altercation after leveling an offensive lineman following a play. Defensive tackle Kentavius Street also made a notable impact by penetrating the backfield and disrupting a run by Roschon Johnson.
Despite the increase in physicality and intensity, the offense struggled with execution. Quarterback Caleb Williams threw an interception that was easily picked off by cornerback Tyrique Stevenson on a deep pass intended for tight end Colston Loveland, partly due to miscommunication between the two. The passing game appeared less consistent than in previous sessions, although most running backs managed to break off long runs throughout the drill.
D’Andre Swift, the team’s starting running back, said live tackling was especially beneficial for the running backs to sync with the offensive line. However, the session ended on a rough note as the offense committed consecutive false starts during a critical sequence late in practice, reflecting some lapses in focus.
Wide receiver Luther Burden III attributed some of the offensive miscues to operation errors in and out of the huddle but emphasized the team’s commitment to progress. “Every day is not going to be a great day. It’s camp. It’s going to be ups and downs,” Burden said. “We come back, be better, talk about it. Come back tomorrow, have a better day.”
On the offensive line, the competition at left tackle remains wide open. Braxton Jones received most of the first-team reps on Tuesday, following a similar role on Monday, while Jedrick Wills Jr. and Kiran Amegadjie continue to work with the first unit. Theo Benedet, previously mentioned as a potential candidate, has worked exclusively at right tackle. Coach Ben Johnson stressed consistency and one-on-one blocking ability as key factors in the evaluation process but did not indicate any imminent decisions. Meanwhile, Garrett Bradbury appears set to start at center, a move that was largely expected.
Williams’ passing attempts included attempts downfield to several receivers, including Colston Loveland, Kalif Raymond, Rome Odunze, and Burden, but the offense struggled to complete plays consistently under pressure. One notable defensive presence was linebacker Devin Bush, who made several aggressive plays in coverage, including a hard hit to break up a pass intended for Burden near the goal line. Bush’s speed and agility have drawn praise from defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who said Bush offers coverage versatility similar to that of his predecessor, Tremaine Edmunds.
Other notable moments included defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo lining up inside nickel packages and intercepting an errant pass, as well as kicker Cairo Santos converting seven of eight field goals, including one from 52 yards.
Injuries continue to impact the roster. Safety Coby Bryant suffered a knee injury on Monday that is expected to sideline him for eight to 10 weeks. Cornerbacks Terell Smith and K.C. Eziomume missed Tuesday’s practice, with Smith exiting early Monday but reportedly not seriously injured. The Bears placed defensive end Jonathan Garvin on injured reserve and signed undrafted rookie defensive back Marlen Sewell from Vanderbilt, who had a brief offseason stint with the Kansas City Chiefs. Seven players remain on the team’s non-football injury or physically unable to perform lists, including notable names such as cornerback Kyler Gordon and linebackers T.J. Edwards and Noah Sewell.
Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen reflected on being invited to Drew Brees’ Hall of Fame induction ceremony this weekend in Canton, Ohio, expressing his honor at the invitation. Allen coached alongside Brees during two stints with the New Orleans Saints and later served as the team’s head coach from 2022 to 2024.
As the Bears push through the middle of training camp, the focus remains on maintaining intensity while improving consistency, particularly on offense, where the transition to Johnson’s system continues to pose challenges. The team is expected to hold their next practice Wednesday in shells before returning to full pads on Thursday.